Chapter Seven: Gained an Older Sister

Half-awake, I felt a slight chill on my body. When I shifted unconsciously, I suddenly jolted completely awake. Memories surged through my mind like a tide, breaking through my fatigue-numbed thoughts.

At last, I returned to myself and saw Luo Qing's expressionless yet still delicate and beautiful face across from me. Then I noticed a hamburger and a cup of cola placed on the table.

“Did you buy these for me?” I asked, a little uncertain, since there was no friendship between us. The only reason I’d helped her was out of fear of her threats.

“Who else?” She glanced at me, her lips curled in a half-smile, half-smirk.

Not intending to be polite, I reached for the hamburger and devoured it in big bites. Why should a destitute guy like me be polite to a rich, beautiful woman like her—unless I was an absolute fool.

“Slow down, or others will think I’ve been starving you.”

“Your methods may differ, but that’s not far from the truth.”

Luo Qing let out an amused chuckle, then pulled out her phone and started tapping away, seemingly chatting with someone.

“What time is it now?” I wiped my mouth after finishing the food. Whatever she wanted to buy, I hoped she’d hurry up. If it was still early, I could squeeze in a nap before my night shift.

“Three thirty.”

“Damn!” I couldn’t help blurting out. Had I really slept for three hours slumped over like that?

Luo Qing frowned slightly, then put away her phone and slipped it into her pristine white designer purse.

She showed no sign of anger. She rose and walked over to me, looking down at me from above. Just as I gazed at her in confusion, she suddenly kicked the back of my calf. The sharp point of her stiletto felt like a knife stabbing into my leg, making me grimace in pain.

“Remember, I can’t stand people who swear.”

Her abrupt shift in mood left me at a loss. Was she really going to get physical just because of a casual curse?

What a lunatic! Though I kept that thought to myself. I had learned my lesson—this woman could snap at any moment, and if I wasn’t careful, I’d end up at the receiving end of her violence again.

“Is there anything else you need to buy? I can’t carry any more,” I said, standing up with difficulty, my tone edged with irritation as I cradled the stuff from the morning. All I wanted now was to leave this place and get away from this madwoman—she was simply impossible.

She glanced at me, but I avoided her gaze.

“Forget it, I’m tired today.” With that, Luo Qing turned and walked out of the store.

Relieved, I hurried after her and we left the fast-food restaurant. After descending several flights of stairs, I finally stepped out of the building into the open air. Holding the clothes and shoebox, I asked where her car was. Instead, she shook her head; apparently, she hadn’t driven. I’d subconsciously assumed she was the typical wealthy young woman and never even considered whether she had a car—such thoughts were unnecessary.

“Put the things down. I’ll go hail a cab.”

“Never mind, you go ahead and get your ride. These are all designer goods—take good care of them and avoid getting them dirty.”

She stared into my eyes for a moment, then turned to hail a taxi by the roadside. I could’ve sworn she smiled as she turned away.

By the time I got home, it was already ten past four in the afternoon. I took off my clothes, ready to rest, when my stomach protested without warning. Then I remembered: all day, I’d only eaten that hamburger. With no choice, I set out again, planning to buy some buns and pickles to tide myself over.

I had barely three hundred yuan left, but at least I’d already paid this month’s rent—that was my only consolation.

Dressed and shod once more, I opened the door and discovered that my new neighbor was also leaving at the same time.

She noticed me as well, and our eyes met. I nodded and smiled in greeting, but she didn’t smile back. Locking her door, she asked, “Heading out too?”

“Yeah, just grabbing something to eat.”

“Perfect. I don’t feel like cooking tonight either. Let’s go eat together.”

I hesitated, searching for a polite way to refuse. With only a few hundred yuan to my name, if I treated her to a meal I’d be living on air for days.

She must have sensed my reluctance and said, slightly annoyed, “If you don’t want to, forget it. You’re hardly acting like a man, being so wishy-washy!”

I thought back to last night, when she’d lent me her washing machine. She was my neighbor, after all, and with her words hanging in the air, refusing would make me look even less like a man.

“No, thank you for helping me out last night. Come on, let’s grab a bite.” As I spoke, I took a good look at her: a pink long dress, white low-heeled shoes, alluring almond-shaped eyes, pale pink lips, and light makeup that made her face particularly attractive to the opposite sex.

Hearing my response, she finally smiled, said nothing more, and turned to head downstairs.

We left the building and went to a nearby diner, planning to order two or three dishes so I could have a decent meal.

Sitting across from each other at a small table by the window, I couldn’t help feeling awkward. Perhaps it was because I’d rarely eaten with women other than my girlfriend before.

After ordering, a heavy silence settled between us. Neither of us initiated conversation. Just as I was racking my brain for something to say, she broke the silence: “How old are you?”

“Twenty-four. And you?”

She smiled and shook her head. “I’m older than you. From now on, you can be my younger brother.”

I stared at her, momentarily lost for words.